A recent discovery in Appalachia could unlock U.S. dominance in lithium, an increasingly critical mineral. Policymakers should eliminate processing and regulatory hurdles that have kept similar riches locked away and ensure that the United States is well-positioned to take advantage of its richness in this important asset.

Last week, the U.S. Geological Survey announced that 2.3 million metric tons of previously undiscovered but economically recoverable lithium could be extracted from Appalachia. There could be enough to replace 328 years of U.S. imports at last year’s level. The lithium is found in pegmatites, large-grained rocks similar to granite.

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